Abstract: A tape head having offset transducer spans between adjacent modules of the tape head that serves to maintain the balance between debris removal and reduced magnetic layer/recording device spacing on the one hand and reduced tape/tape head friction on the other hand. In one aspect, opposite edges of each module are relatively sharper adjacent the transducer span and relatively rounded (e.g., less sharp) away from the transducer span. The sharp edges reduce magnetic spacing loss and scrape debris off of the tape while the rounded edges reduce or eliminate contact between the tape and the head in regions where no transducer spans are present and thus where no tape writing or reading would be taking place.

Abstract: A tape head having offset transducer spans between adjacent modules of the tape head that serves to maintain the balance between debris removal and reduced magnetic layer/recording device spacing on the one hand and reduced tape/tape head friction on the other hand. In one aspect, opposite edges of each module are relatively sharper adjacent the transducer span and relatively rounded (e.g., less sharp) away from the transducer span. The sharp edges reduce magnetic spacing loss and scrape debris off of the tape while the rounded edges reduce or eliminate contact between the tape and the head in regions where no transducer spans are present and thus where no tape writing or reading would be taking place.

Abstract: A tape head having offset transducer spans between adjacent modules of the tape head that serves to maintain the balance between debris removal and reduced magnetic layer/recording device spacing on the one hand and reduced tape/tape head friction on the other hand. In one aspect, opposite edges of each module are relatively sharper adjacent the transducer span and relatively rounded (e.g., less sharp) away from the transducer span. The sharp edges reduce magnetic spacing loss and scrape debris off of the tape while the rounded edges reduce or eliminate contact between the tape and the head in regions where no transducer spans are present and thus where no tape writing or reading would be taking place.

Abstract: A tape head having offset transducer spans between adjacent modules of the tape head that serves to maintain the balance between debris removal and reduced magnetic layer/recording device spacing on the one hand and reduced tape/tape head friction on the other hand. In one aspect, opposite edges of each module are relatively sharper adjacent the transducer span and relatively rounded (e.g., less sharp) away from the transducer span. The sharp edges reduce magnetic spacing loss and scrape debris off of the tape while the rounded edges reduce or eliminate contact between the tape and the head in regions where no transducer spans are present and thus where no tape writing or reading would be taking place.

Abstract: A read/write head is provided with a body having a body length and a support surface to support data storage media as the data storage media is conveyed longitudinally across the support surface. The support surface of the body is curved about an axis in a widthwise direction of the elongate body. The support surface of the body has a reduced longitudinal length relative to the body length only in an intermediate region. At least one read/write device is provided on the intermediate region of the support surface of the body to read and/or write data on the data storage media as the data storage media is conveyed across the support surface. A tape drive system is provided with the read/write head, the at least one read/write device, and a motor to drive the data storage tape.

Abstract: A read/write head is provided with a body having a body length and a support surface to support data storage media as the data storage media is conveyed longitudinally across the support surface. The support surface of the body is curved about an axis in a widthwise direction of the elongate body. The support surface of the body has a reduced longitudinal length relative to the body length only in an intermediate region. At least one read/write device is provided on the intermediate region of the support surface of the body to read and/or write data on the data storage media as the data storage media is conveyed across the support surface. A tape drive system is provided with the read/write head, the at least one read/write device, and a motor to drive the data storage tape.

Abstract: A tape head having an upper surface with a non-uniform (e.g. non-planar) cross-width (e.g., perpendicular to tape moving over the tape head) profile for eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not disposed over read/write elements of the tape head (e.g., near opposite first and second edges of the tape) during reading/writing operations on the tape. The upper surface of the tape head includes at least one “active” zone encompassing the read/write elements and that is configured to contact the tape and at least one “inactive” zone that recesses (e.g., slopes, tapers, drops, rounds, etc.) away from the active zone to avoid contact with tape traveling thereover. Eliminating contact between the tape head and portions of the tape not currently being read and/or written reduces friction between the tape and the tape head and facilitates control of tape head lateral positioning, tape tension, and tape speed.

Abstract: A method for counteracting longitudinal oscillations in a magnetic tape as it passes over a head in a tape drive system includes the steps of passing the magnetic tape over the head, detecting the occurrence of longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape, and generating counteractive longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape that are substantially 180° out of phase with the longitudinal oscillations to substantially cancel the longitudinal oscillations.

Abstract: A method for counteracting longitudinal oscillations in a magnetic tape as it passes over a head in a tape drive system includes the steps of passing the magnetic tape over the head, detecting the occurrence of longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape, and generating counteractive longitudinal oscillations in the magnetic tape that are substantially 180° out of phase with the longitudinal oscillations to substantially cancel the longitudinal oscillations.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly for writing multiple tracks to a tape that travels in a first direction is provided. The assembly includes a first head section for writing a first subset of the tracks, and a second head section for writing a second subset of the tracks. Furthermore, one head section is canted with respect to a plane that is transverse to the first direction, such that the head sections write two adjacent tracks at different angles with respect to the plane.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head assembly with enclosed through slots to eliminate an air bearing at high tape speeds and lower operating tape tensions is provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic tape head comprises a recording gap, containing read/write elements, across the width of the head and slots exposed to the tape head surface that faces the plane of the tape. These slots run through the head approximately perpendicular to the plane of the tape and are open to ambient pressure at a tape head surface other than the surface facing the plane of the tape. These slots are aligned with the read/write elements along the recording gap.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head assembly for use with a moveable magnetic tape includes an interior tape head module having an interior magnetic gap, and first and second transverse slots disposed on opposite sides of the interior magnetic gap. Each of the transverse slots has inner and outer edges, and the interior module further has first and second slotted regions disposed proximate the outer edges of the first and second transverse slots, respectively. The assembly further includes first and second exterior tape head modules disposed adjacent opposite sides of the interior module. The first exterior module has a first magnetic gap, third and fourth transverse slots disposed on opposite sides of the first magnetic gap such that the fourth transverse slot is disposed between the first magnetic gap and the interior module, and a third slotted region disposed between the fourth transverse slot and the interior module.

Abstract: A magnetic head having a pair of longitudinal channels in a tape bearing surface that flank each transducer. The channels reduce the effective height of debris in the channels near the transducers. The channel floors may have a transverse slope, and the tape bearing surface between channels may be tapered. Transverse slots help direct debris away from the transducers. The channels overlap the end sections of the transducers and help to define the shape and position of the transducer's active section. When applied to a two pole write transducers, the channels narrow and equalize the effective width of the top and bottom poles. Narrow equal-sized poles can write narrow data tracks with a track width that is independent of the magnetic medium's direction of motion.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head assembly is provided for use with a magnetic tape storage medium. The assembly includes an interior tape head module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap which substantially eliminate air and debris entrained between the module and the tape as the tape moves over the module. The assembly also includes a first exterior tape head module on one side of the interior module, the first exterior module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap and a width greater than that of the interior module. The assembly still further includes a second exterior tape head module on another side of the interior module, the second exterior module having a magnetic gap with transverse slots on each side of the gap and a width greater than that of the interior module. The distances between the magnetic gaps of the modules are each approximately 0.060 inches.